Remus Lupin. The boy I've liked for so many years, just because he once waved at me. Well not meexactly. It was Lily Evans who was walking behind me... But close enough right? I've never spoken a word to him in my life. So you can imagine my surprise when the school player, the almost obsessive stalker and the love of my life waltzed into my compartment and situated themselves in the many available seats.

I am never leaving my bed. Well, actually I might leave it to go to the loo… But that’s it! I am going to stay here forever and mope.

I wonder if I could talk the house elves into bringing me food? Preferably chocolate. Lots of chocolate! Ooh and ice-cream!

Bugger, now I’ve made myself hungry…

I can hear Lily moving around, getting dressed and such. My hangings are closed but I still know it is Lily because she is so bloody LOUD! Just because she is a morning person who doesn’t feel like stabbing someone because it is so early.

Clunk. Clunk. Clunk. Scuffle. Scuffle.

Jesus, what is she doing?! It sounds like she is slow dancing with a pirate who has lost a sword fight and now has a wooden leg.

Oh well, what do I care anyway? I am never leaving this bed.

Ever.

Clunk. Scuffle.

I can’t stand this!

“Lily! What the bloody hell are you doing?!” I asked, ripping back the hangings around my bed. Lily smirked at me.

“I knew if I was loud enough you would eventually get up!” she said with an innocent smile.

I glared at her. “I hate you,” I said grumpily and stomped off to the bathroom. Maybe if I take ages she will get tired of waiting for me and leave. Then I can snuggle back into Sulky Central, or you could call it my bed I suppose, and contemplate why Merlin hates me.

“Love you too! Don’t take too long,” she called and I just knew she was smiling. Stupid happy people. What do they have to be so happy about anyway?

I suppose Lily does has a great boyfriend… she’s really pretty and smart… she doesn’t say stupid things… and she doesn’t get herself into incriminating situations with her best friend, only to have her maybe boyfriend walk in on them…

Like I said, stupid happy people.

About a million and ten years later I cracked open the bathroom door. Surely Lily will have gone down to breakfast. I mean she is the one who is always telling me that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. She wouldn’t be able to resist going down and getting something before classes.

Lily and Alice were sitting on my bed munching on toast. They just looked at me and smiled. I looked at them and frowned.

“You’re eating toast on my bed,” I said stating the obvious. Knowing my luck they will get crumbs in my bed and I will be carried off by ants in the middle of the night. They will probably make me their queen!

Shut up brain!

“I got you some,” Alice said through a mouthful and held out a couple of slices to me. It did smell good…

I couldn’t help myself; I took the toast and sat cross-legged on my bed.

“Aha! You have taken my offering of toast! That means that you are obligated to tell us what is going on!” Alice said with a triumphant look on her face.

Bugger. The old toast trick had gotten me again.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, avoiding looking at the two girls. I didn’t even have to look at them to know that they were rolling their eyes.

“Oh come on Shaylee!” Lily said sounding exasperated. “We barely saw you yesterday so you were obviously hiding somewhere.”

“And you were acting really strange last night at dinner,” Alice chimed in. “Well stranger than normal.” She had to duck the pillow I threw at her.

“Now you are extra grumpy this morning,” Lily fixed me with a knowing look. “So tell us what’s wrong.”

I heaved a big sigh and looked at my two friends. They were looking at me expectedly with sincere looks of worry on their faces.

So I told them the whole story.

* * *

“I still cannot believe it,” Alice said for about the millionth time as her and Lily physically dragged me towards Transfiguration.

After I had told Lily and Alice about the mess I was in, they just sat there and stared blankly at me. Cheers guys, very helpful. In the end they asked me about a million and one questions and then Alice started with her whole ‘I can’t believe it’ business.

I wasn’t sure which part she couldn’t quite believe. Maybe it was the fact that Remus Lupin kissed me. Or maybe it was more the whole getting caught innocently sleeping next to Sirius thing. Whatever. I don’t care. My life is over. People whose lives are over do not care about anything.

Well, except for going to class and having to see Remus.

I wrestled myself out of Lily and Alice’s grip and stopped. We were nearly at the Transfiguration classroom and I couldn’t take it anymore.

“I am not going into that room!” I said stubbornly and folded my arms.

“Shaylee, the longer you put off seeing Remus, the worse it will be,” Lily said to me kindly and squeezed my arm. “Alice and I are here for you and we are going to try and help in any way that we can.”

Ohhh why does she have to be so nice?! Why couldn’t they be crap friends that let me lock myself in my room forever and destroy my education?!

“Come on, we’ll go in together,” Alice said and linked her arm through mine. As we walked through the door, my stomach felt like it was going to fall out of my body. I wanted to be sick, run away and laugh, all at the same time.

I’m a nervous laugher.

The bell rang just as we closed the door. McGonagall, who was standing behind her desk, said in her stern voice, “Quickly find your seat ladies,” before turning to the board and flicking her wand.

Lily and Alice had to hurry off to their seats on the other side of the classroom while I slid into mine next to Sirius.

I was all too aware that Remus was sitting just a few seats away from me. I had to control the urge to fling myself at him and beg him to forget anything had ever happened.

I gave Sirius a tiny smile because that was all that I could manage. Sirius just looked at me sadly. The twinge of guilt in my stomach started again. I looked away because I thought my eyes might start leaking.

Ten years later, or it felt like that long, old McGonagall was still raving on. I wasn’t listening in the slightest. I was doodling on a piece of parchment. I had tried to make myself feel better by drawing Demelza being sat on by a dragon but not even that worked.

I have never felt this crap in my entire life. Is this what normal teenagers go through? If so, I want no part in it.

The bell finally rang and everyone practically hurtled out of the classroom. I was moving slowly and just chucking things into my bag, not really caring. There was a sort of scuffling noise and I looked up to see Remus glaring down at all of his parchment that had just fallen onto the floor. There were only a couple of students left in the room.

I took a deep breath. I can do this. I can do this. I can-

I can’t do this!

But my legs didn’t seem to have gotten the message because before I knew it, I was walking towards Remus. He looked up when I was standing in front of him. He was just looking at me and everything I wanted to say to him got stuck in my throat.

“Remus-” I started but then couldn’t finish.

Remus heaved a sigh and said in a sort of angry voice, “Look, let’s just leave it alright? It never would have worked out between us anyway.”

And then he walked away.

I stood there staring after him like a fool.

* * *

Two weeks. Two weeks have passed since the ‘Sirius Incident’ happened. Remus won’t even look at me and hasn’t said a word to me since that Transfiguration lesson. He has swapped seats so he doesn’t have to sit next to me in classes. He is sitting next to Germy Jamie. That is how desperate he is to avoid me.

Even Lily has gotten fed up with me being depressed. She told me to stop being ‘mean and horrible’. I told her that I cannot help it. That is what depressed people do.

James seems to be in a constant state of confusion lately. He doesn’t know whose side he is supposed to be on so he has tried to not be on any ones. That just made Remus and Sirius even more annoyed. Remus and Sirius haven’t spoken again.

Everyone seemed to have a go at talking to Remus on my behalf but he wasn’t having any of it. I had gotten ‘accidentally’ hit with hexes for the last week or so by girls who blamed me for breaking up the Marauders. The worse was when a fifth year girl got me with a jelly-leg jinx when I was tying my shoe. I wobbled around for ages and accidentally crashed into a suit of armor before Lily came to my rescue.

I was moodily stomping my way to Charms, dragging my school bag along behind me. What is the point? Life is so poo. I wish I could just fly off on the back of a hippogriff and never come back. Well, maybe not. I’m afraid of heights.

I stomped into the girl’s loo on the third floor. I cringed at my reflection. But then again, what do I care if I look like a troll who has been in a bad fight. I will never get a boyfriend anyway so there is no point in trying really.

Just as I locked the cubicle door, I heard the bathroom door open. Great, now some random girl is going to hear me peeing.

“I cannot believe that you are going to Hogsmeade with Remus!” said a girl. I instantly froze. At the mention of Remus’ name, my stomach dropped. Wait a minute… I know that voice!

“I know! I’m so excited!” replied another girl. I know that voice too!

It was the bloody Em and Em’s!

“I cannot tell you how glad I am that the Marauders seem to have gotten rid of that sad girl that was always hanging around them,” Emma said with a sneer in her voice. I clenched my fist as anger boiled up in stomach.

“I know right! Who did she think she was anyway? I heard that her and Remus had a falling out,” Emily said in a hushed voice.

My ear was practically glued to the crack in the door. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to cry or leap out of the cubicle and kick them violently in the shins.

“I heard that too! That’s just more good news for you! Do you think you two will snog on your date?” Emma asked with a giggle. I could hear their footsteps heading back towards the door.

I was only just able to catch Emily’s response before the door shut behind them. “I hope so! I bet he is a great kisser!”

He is a great kisser.

I think that’s when I sat on the loo seat and cried.

* * *

“Shaylee…” Lily said cautiously. I grunted at her.

I am in my bed of misery, never to leave. Again. I am serious this time. I had my blankets pulled up over my head. It was stuffy and I couldn’t quite breathe but whatever.

“Oh come on Shaylee! I know that you’re upset but it has been two weeks!” Lily said, finally becoming more than frustrated by my behavior.

I sat up in my bed at glared at her and Alice, who I hadn’t realised was there. The glaring effect was ruined slightly because my blankets were still half over my head. I yanked them off and then glared at them.

“That’s easy for you to say! Stupid Emily isn’t going to Hogsmeade with James or Frank!” I shouted and then punched my pillow. I have never realised just how violent I am. I never used to be. I blame Emily, because I can.

“I was in the bathroom today and Emma and Emily came in,” I said and glared at my pillow. “They were talking about how Emily is going to Hogsmeade with Remus this weekend and how they are going to snog and so on,” I mumbled. I hate her, I really do.

Alice looked appalled and said, “No!” very dramatically.

Lily looked shocked. “Really?” she asked.

“No, I’m lying to make myself feel better!” I snapped sarcastically. I instantly felt bad when Lily looked a bit put out. I must be nicer to her. After all, she is not the one who going to Hogsmeade with Remus. Emily is. UGH! I hate her!

“I’m sorry guys,” I said and gave her and Alice a spontaneous hug. “I’ve been really horrible these last couple of weeks. I shouldn’t be taking it out on you.”

Lily gave me a small smile and they both hugged me back.

“It’s okay, I know you are upset,” Alice said and we all sat back. “I can’t believe Remus!”

“He is free to do whatever he wants,” I said miserably. It’s not like we are or were ever dating or anything. We only snogged once… Ohhh but it was so amazing! I really thought he liked me! Why Merlin, why?!

Alice looked hesitant before she said, “Well, do you think maybe it is time to move on from Remus?” I looked at and she hurried to continue. “I know you have liked him for a long time but maybe it is just not going to work out? If he is moving on, then maybe you should too?”

Lily looked like she wanted to protest but I didn’t give her the chance.

At Alice’s words I had a brilliant idea.

“Alice you are so right!” I said and swung my legs off of my bed. I quickly brushed my hair and pulled my shoes on.

“Where are you going?” Lily asked, standing up to face me.

“I have a plan,” I said and left the dorm room and my two very confused friends.

* * *

“Aiden! Hey Aiden! Wait up!” I shouted after Aiden as I chased him down the Charms corridor. He turned around and smiled when he saw it was me. I was relieved to see that it was him. Just five minutes ago I had startled a fifth year Slytherin boy. In my defense, he looked a lot like Aiden from behind!

“Hi Shaylee,” he said when I had caught up with him. Since my falling out with Remus, I had been spending a lot of time with Aiden. Sirius was sort of avoiding me and would not be caught alone in a room with me and Lily and Alice were off with their boyfriends a lot of the time.

“You wanna Hogsmeade me?” I suddenly blurted out. Aiden just stared at me. What the hell brain?! That is not even a proper sentence! And I wasn’t exactly planning on just coming right out and asking him to Hogsmeade!

My mastermind plan (that I had only thought up ten minutes ago) was not going so well.

“Uh, pardon?” Aiden asked, half amused, half confused.

I took a deep breath. The damage is done; I may as well get on with it. Though I wish I had been able to do it in a better way, perhaps thrown in a little ‘will you accompany me to Hogsmeade’ song or something.

“I meant would you like to come to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?” I said and smiled. Blimey, it actually came out right!

Aiden looked thoughtful for a second. Oh no! He is going to say ‘No way you lunatic!’ Not what I wanted at all.

But then he smiled. Like a proper happy smile that made me smile. Then we were just two crazy people smiling at each other in a deserted corridor.

“Sure, that sounds great,” Aiden said and grinned at me.

“Great, it should be a good day, just two mates hanging out,” I said and grinned back at him. At the word ‘mates’, Aiden face fell slightly. Oh Merlin! I hadn’t wanted him to think it was a date! I just didn’t want to go to Hogsmeade on my own!

…

Okay! You’ve got me. It was partly because I didn’t want to go to Hogsmeade on my own, but mostly because I wanted to make Remus ridiculously jealous.

Don’t judge me.

“Yeah right, as two mates,” Aiden said somewhat distractedly. “Well I’d better go, it’s almost curfew.” And with that he was off.

Ohhh no. Now I feel guilty! Is it wrong of me to use Aiden as a tool in my ‘Make Remus jealous’ ploy?

I’m guessing your answer is a resounding YES!

Maybe I should have thought this plan out before I put it into motion? There is nothing I can do now though. Maybe if Aiden and I have a fun day at Hogsmeade and avoid seeing Remus, that will mean I am not a horrible user type girly?

Heaving a sigh, I made my way back towards Gryffindor tower.

* * *

Saturday

“You’re making a big mistake,” Lily said to me in her disappointed voice for about the millionth time. As if I didn’t feel bad enough already, I had to listen to Lily constantly giving me lectures. I wish I had never told her.

All week she has been trying to get me to not go with Aiden but I’ve tried to ignore her. I mean, I can’t just tell Aiden that I don’t want to go with him anymore! That would hurt his feelings. And to be quite honest, I do sort of want to go with him. Like I had predicted, Lily was going with James, Alice was going with Frank and Sirius was going with stupid Jessica Russell, also known as the sleeping bag stealer.

There is no way in hell that I would become a third wheel on their dates. I am not that sad.

Yet.

I heaved a frustrated sigh and said, “Lily, would you please just leave it? He knows we are only going as friends,” I think. Maybe. But I didn’t say that to Lily. “I didn’t want to go on my own so that is why I asked Aiden.”

Lily looked at me with raised eyebrows. She does not believe me in the slightest. Maybe I shouldn’t have told her and Alice that I had a ‘plan’. Bugger.

“Fine, I won’t say anything more about it,” Lily grumbled and went back to putting her makeup on.

The guilty feeling in my stomach started up again. Oh poo.

* * *

“There you are!” said someone from behind me and I jumped. I may have sort of been lurking behind a statue in the Entrance Hall, trying to catch a glimpse of Remus and his stupid date. The Entrance Hall was so full of teenagers talking excitedly that I hadn’t heard Aiden coming. I also hadn’t seen Remus or Emily. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not.

“Hi Aiden, it’s crazy in here isn’t it?” I said and smiled at him. Hmm, I know I have said that Aiden is quite a nice looking bloke, but today he looked… hot! And I don’t mean he looked particularly sweaty or anything. He was smiling back at me, his nice proper smile, and I felt a touch of the swoons coming on.

“Shall we go then?” Aiden asked and I nodded. He put his hand at the small of my back and started leading me out of the hall.

Ohhh Merlin, what am I doing? I am a terrible, terrible person. Why did I think this was going to be a good idea?! I can’t get out of it now. I will just have to be on high alert if any hint of ‘more-than-friends’ business starts.

Remus’ POV

“I’m not going Prongs, and that is final,” I said stubbornly as I sulked on my bed.

“You said you would go with her mate,” James said, though his voice was slightly muffled. He was practically inside his trunk, throwing what seemed like every piece of clothing he owned out of it. He was in search of the ‘perfect first date outfit’. He has been frantic all week, ever since Lily said she would go to Hogsmeade with him. He seems to be in constant surprise whenever Lily wants to spend time with him, even though she is now his girlfriend.

“I never said I would go with her!” I protested loudly and sat up on my bed. I had to stifle a laugh at the sight of James as he stood up from his trunk. His hair was all over the place, more so than normal, and he had a sock on his head. He didn’t even seem to notice.

“Yes, well you didn’t say otherwise though,” James pointed out and I groaned.

A couple of days ago, Emily ambushed me at the end of Potions. I had been so preoccupied with sneaking glances at Shaylee. She was sitting at her usual desk with that Slytherin prat, McKinnen. I didn’t want to look at her; in fact I wanted to forget about her. But I just couldn’t. All I could think about was her. I didn’t realise I was staring at Shaylee until she looked up suddenly. I tried to look away quickly but in the process I accidentally knocked half of my ingredients onto the floor.

As I was scrambling around trying to pick everything up, the bell rang and I thought I was the last one in the classroom until someone stood in front of me. For a second I thought it was Shaylee. But then I looked up and Emily was standing there smiling at me. I tried to ignore the fact that I was disappointed that it wasn’t Shaylee.

“Hi Remus!” Emily said and smiled at me. I stood up and managed to smile back at her, but it was mostly out of politeness.

“Hey Emily,” I said while I shoved the rest of my stuff into my bag. When I turned back around, Emily was practically on top of me, she was that close.

“Do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me?” She asked in what I think she thought was a seductive voice.

I was so put off by how uncomfortably close she was to me that all I managed to say back was, “Err…”

“Great! I will meet you in the Great Hall at nine!” she said happily and before I even knew what was happening, she kissed me on the cheek and then she was gone. I just stood there open mouthed in complete shock.

All I had said was ‘err…’! How did she manage to get, ‘I would love to go to Hogsmeade with you’ out of ‘err…’?!

Girls. Mental, I tell you.

After that I avoided Emily as best I could. I just didn’t know how to tell her I didn’t want to go with her. James had thought it was hilarious and now he is trying to make me go.

“Come on mate,” James said and came and sat next to me on my bed. “You have been cooped up for two weeks. I know you’re angry but maybe this is a good opportunity to get out and have a little fun!”

I heaved a huge sigh and stood up. Maybe James is right, maybe I do need to go and have some fun. “Fine!” I said and pulled on a clean shirt.

“That’s the spirit!” James said happily and clapped me on the back. “And maybe you might want to make it up with Sirius…?” James said hesitantly.

I looked at him and felt bad. I knew Sirius and I had put him in an awkward position by falling out. I mean, we had all been mates for so long. To be honest, I’m not even that angry at Sirius any more. I think I was just more hurt by Shaylee. They have both sworn that nothing happened and I think I believe them; I just couldn’t help thinking that something had.

Oh I don’t know. It’s all too complicated.

I do miss Sirius though.

…

And Shaylee.

I gave another sigh, having made up my mind and grumbled, “I might try and talk to him.” I really missed Sirius and I didn’t want to lose him as a mate over something like this. As for Shaylee, well I don’t know. I still fancy her so much but I have so much insecurity about her now. Maybe I should just focus on being mates with Sirius again first.

James grinned at me and gave me a spontaneous hug. He is in a ludicrously good mood now.

“That has just made my morning!” he said and practically skipped over to the door. “Wait until I tell Lily!”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling a little. I flopped back onto my bed and stared at the ceiling.

As if he could read my mind, James popped his head back around the door and said, “Don’t even think about not going. Don’t make me drag you off that bed mate, because you know I will.”

Bugger.

* * *

“Remus! Hey Remus, over here!” a shrill voice called to me over the noise in the Entrance Hall. I tried not to groan out loud when I saw that it was Emily. She was waving madly at me. I gave her a weak smile and a little wave back.

“Have fun you two,” I said to James and Lily who had walked, or more so escorted, me down to the Entrance Hall. James grinned at me and grabbed Lily’s hand before leading her towards the large open doors.

As I turned to head over towards Emily, I bumped into someone. Emily was standing right in front of me with her hands on her hips. “You’re five minutes late, you bad boy!” she said and pouted at me. I just stared at her.

Oh Merlin, what have I gotten myself into?

“Er, I’m sorry?” I more so asked than stated.

“That’s okay, we’ll just have to think of a way to punish you later,” she said in a seductive voice and winked at me. I didn’t say anything back. I just stood there feeling ridiculously awkward.

“Shall we go?” I finally said and started off towards the open doors. Emily and I walked towards Hogsmeade, me feeling very uncomfortable and wondering what the hell I was doing here, while Emily kept up constant chatter. I had both of my hands in my pockets to protect them from Emily, who kept trying to grab hold of them.

When we made it into Hogsmeade, Emily exclaimed, “Let’s go to Madame Puddifoot’s!”

I just stared at her.

Surely she is joking.

She isn’t.

I had been to Madame Puddifoot’s only once and that was enough to last me a lifetime.

“Erm, wouldn’t you prefer to go to the Three Broomsticks?” I asked hopefully. Emily gave me her worst look.

“Why would we want to go to the boring old Three Broomsticks when we can go to Madame Puddifoot’s?” she asked me like I was the densest person in the world.

Ten minutes later I found myself outside of Madame Puddifoot’s. Why Merlin? Why?

I looked through the window at all of the Hogwarts student couples who were squashed into the small tea shop. I caught the eye of someone and I felt nervous.

Sirius was looking back out at me. He was sitting at the table by the window with Jessica Russell who was talking away to him. We looked at each other for a moment. Then suddenly Sirius mouthed ‘HELP ME!’ and gave me a tortuous look.

I couldn’t help but grin and laugh.

And just like that, by Sirius doing something so… so like Sirius, I instantly forgave him. Sirius grinned back at me and I swear I saw a look of relief sweep over his face.

Emily and I went into Madame Puddifoot’s and we pushed our way over towards Sirius and Jessica. When we finally got to the empty table next to them, Jessica and Emily squealed and started talking to each other excitedly.

Girls, I tell you.

That left Sirius and I to somewhat awkwardly look at each other. We hadn’t talked in almost two weeks, almost a record for us. Then Sirius suddenly stood and gave me a hug. I hugged him back and smiled.

We quickly let go though. We didn’t want to start rumors after all, though it wouldn’t be the first time.

“Mate I’m so so-…” Sirius started to say but I cut him off.

“Don’t even worry about it,” I said and clapped him on the back. It felt so good to have Sirius back as my friend. I hadn’t realised how lonely it was without him. “Wait until James finds out that we are mates again. He will probably have a meltdown!” I joked and Sirius laughed.

We turned when we heard someone clear their throat to get our attention. Shit, I had almost forgotten Emily. Emily and Jessica were standing there looking at Sirius and I. Sirius just smirked at Jessica before he started snogging her. She seemed to forgive him.

Emily was looking at me expectantly. Oh God, she expects me to kiss her as well!

“Err, so how about a coffee?” I asked hopefully.

* * *

Shaylee’s POV

Is it bad that I’m having a good time?

Aiden and I had been to all of my favourite shops, spending most of our time in Honeydukes. We had spent half an hour tasting all of the new sweets and Aiden had insisted on buying me a large block of chocolate.

“Did you want to maybe have a rest and get a drink?” Aiden asked as we came out of Honeydukes into the light breeze.

“Yeah, that would be great!” I said and smiled at him. I tucked all of my sweets into my bag and went to turn to go to the Three Broomsticks.

“I thought maybe we could go to Madame Puddifoot’s,” Aiden said and grabbed my hand to lead me in the right direction.

What? What?! I don’t want to go to Madame Puddifoot’s! I accidentally went in there once and it was just a lot of people snogging for England! It had awful frilly things all over the place! I would rather sit in a bathtub full of flobberworms than to go back in there.

I am not going there and that is final.

…

I am standing in front of Madame Pudifoot’s. Alone might I add.

Just… what?

Aiden had managed to drag me all the way up the street. Just as we got to the little tea shop, one of the guys on the Slytherin quidditch team called out to Aiden.

“I won’t be a second Shaylee,” Aiden said before he went over to talk to him.

Resisting the urge to run away and never look back, I looked through the window and nearly threw up. Sirius was in there with Jessica and they were snogging over their cups of forgotten tea. Gross, couldn’t they go somewhere a little less public? And why does Sirius want to snog Jessica Russell anyway? She is a sleeping bag stealer and obviously no good.

And that’s when I saw them.

Remus was in there with Emily! They were in there together. Both of them! They were in there breathing the same air. Remus was just looking at her and she was just talking and talking.

I hate her!

They weren’t snogging though. If they were I have a feeling I would have crashed through the window and pulled Emily off of Remus. Oh God, I am standing out here glaring at them through a window like some creepy stalker.

Look away!

I can’t, it’s too horrible.

Suddenly Sirius broke away from his snogging partner and turned and said something to Remus. Remus got up quickly. Then Sirius got up too and they were talking away to each other like mates. Jessica and Emily looked a little put out but got up to follow the boys towards the door. When did Sirius and Remus become friends again? No one told me.

Wait, what am I thinking? They are walking towards the door!

Escape!

I dithered around like a fool, looking for somewhere to hide. There wasn’t anywhere. I panicked and turned around in circles. Why I thought that would help, I will never know.

Maybe if I look at this tree over here they won’t notice me? Yes, yes that is what I will do. Now to put an ‘interested in nature’ look on my face, not to be confused with my ‘need to go to the loo’ face. Hmmm, yes I love trees. Good, great.

“Shaylee?” he said in his amazing voice and I very nearly melted into a puddle.

Oh God! What am I going to do?!

Nothing is the answer.

Like the fool that I am, I just continued to stand there and stare at the tree. My brain had died and I was just trying to make sure the butterflies in my stomach didn’t explode out of me.

“Heeeellooo earth to Shaylee. What are you doing?” Sirius asked from behind me.

I turned around to face them. Sirius was looking at me with an amused smirk on his face, Jessica looked bored and was checking out her nails and Emily was glaring absolute daggers at me. If looks could kill, I would be dead, dead and also dead.

Remus was looking at me with a strange look on his face. I can’t even explain what sort of look it was, but it was not an ‘I hate your guts’ sort of look so that is a plus.

“I just love nature!” I blurted out when I realised that Sirius was still waiting for an answer. Everyone looked at me like I had lost it. I do not blame them. Well except Emily. I will blame her for everything, because I can.

“Oh Sirius, you joker!” I said and laughed like the nature loving loon that I am.

“Sorry about that,” Aiden said and he popped up beside me. Oh God, not now! I know I said I wanted to make Remus jealous, but I take it back! “Ready to go inside?” he asked, completely ignoring Remus and the others. I almost laughed at how as soon as Jessica and Emily saw Aiden, they started flicking their hair and smiling.

“Sure…” I said and started following Aiden into the teashop of doom. I waved to Sirius who was glaring at Aiden. I didn’t dare look at Remus’ face.

Worst timing ever.

* * *

After an excruciating hour of sitting in Puddifoot’s with Aiden, we walked out into the afternoon sun. I had the intense urge to put my hands to the sky and exclaim, ‘I’m FREEEE!’ I didn’t though.

It was so awkward the whole time we were in there. There had been couples snogging all around us while I drained my tea quickly in the hopes that we could leave sooner. It didn’t work. Aiden just ordered me another one. Aiden kept trying to sneakily hold my hand. In desperation, I showed him a ten minute ‘puppet’ show so that my hands would be busy. It was not my finest moment.

We walked down the still crowded streets in silence. Since I had seen Remus, my mind had been full of him. He had looked amazing today. He always looked so different out of his school uniform. And he had said my name in his beautiful voice.

I let out a sigh.

“Shaylee, there is something I have been meaning to talk to you about…” Aiden trailed off and came to a stop.

I stopped and looked at him, coming out of my Remus haze.

“You know that I like you,” he started and my stomach dropped. Oh Merlin, it was one of those talks. “And you asked me to Hogsmeade today…”

“Aiden-” I tried to say, so that I could start to explain but he cut me off. It was probably a good thing because what was I going to say? Sorry I am a terrible person and used you so I wouldn’t be lonely and wanted to make Remus jealous? No thank you.

“I know you don’t like me how I like you, but I guess I still sort of hoped that today you would change your mind… but you didn’t and that’s okay,” he said and smiled sort of sadly at me. Oh, please don’t be nice! It makes me feel awful!

He smirked and said, “Babe, I know you pretty well now, not to mention you are a shit liar. Don’t think I didn’t realise that you were looking around all day for Lupin and his date. You may not have noticed that you were doing it but I sure did. Not to mention the fact that you practically jumped a mile every time I touched you.”

He said this all calmly and sort of like he was amused. Why was he not yelling and cursing me? Shouldn’t he hate me? Boys are so weird.

“Aiden I am so sorry!” I said and looked down at my shoes. “Everything sort of happened at once and before I knew it I was asking you to Hogsmeade for all of the wrong reasons…”

“Don’t worry Shaylee. I just wish you would have told me. I could have helped you out more,” he said and grinned at me.

“I really did have a nice time,” I said and smiled at him. “Well except for Madame Puddifoot’s,” I admitted.

Aiden laughed and gave me a wicked grin. “Yeah well let’s just say that was your punishment for using me,” he said and smirked. I stared at him open mouthed for a second.

“You mean you took me there knowing I would hate it?!” I said in mock outrage. I couldn’t help but laugh though. “I guess I deserved it.”

We were interrupted by the same pretty Slytherin girl I often saw Aiden talking to. “Hey Aiden! Are you coming or not?” she called from a group of other Slytherin students. Aiden waved to her before he turned back to me.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I made plans with some of my other friend’s,” Aiden said and smiled apologetically at me. Why is he so bloody nice?! He should have said, ‘I’m ditching you now loser because you are a horrible friend!’

“Yeah that’s fine! I’ll see you tomorrow maybe,” I said and smiled at him. He suddenly pulled me into a tight hug and I hugged him back. “Thank you for being such a great friend,” I whispered to him.

“Speaking of being a great friend,” Aiden whispered into my ear, still hugging me. “Don’t look now, but I think we succeeded in making Lupin jealous.”

Before I could even process what he had just said, he let go, gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and then went and joined his other friends.

What the blooming hell?

I turned around in a sort of daze only to come face to face with Remus. He was looking down at me with his unreadable look on his face again. My stomach burst into instant butterflies and my knees felt a little weak. God, I had almost forgotten just how good he smells.

We just stood there staring at each, neither of us saying anything or looking away. I don’t know how I was remembering how to breathe because my brain had dropped out of my head completely.

“Remus! Remus you naughty boy, where are you!” a shrill voice came from around the corner, shaking us both out of our strange staring contest. Remus’ head snapped in the direction of Emily’s voice and I felt my heart sink. He was going to go running back to her and I will be left even more confused than I was before.

“Quick, come with me,” Remus said suddenly in a low voice and he grabbed my hand. I was so surprised that I let him drag me into a narrow alley way, barely big enough for both of us to squeeze in to. To be honest, I would let him take me wherever he wanted. I know, I know, I have no self-control.

The alley was so cramped that I was practically stuck to Remus, we were pressed that close together. The alley was dark and we were in the shadows but I could still make out Remus’ face, considering it was about a centimeter from mine.

“What-” I started to say but Remus put his finger to my lips and whispered ‘shhh’. We both stood in silence, pressed against each other. What is going on? Am I dreaming? Was Aiden actually furious with me for using him and ended up cursing me? Am I dead?

Knowing my luck, I probably am.

“Remus?” Emily called again, much closer this time. She sounded sulky and annoyed. A couple of seconds later, I saw her walk pass the tiny alley that Remus and I were in. She didn’t even glance at it, just kept on walking and calling, “I’m going to find yooooou!”

We waited about another minute until we could no longer hear her. Remus let out a sigh of relief and smiled at me. Ohhh his smile is so nice!

“Sorry about that,” he said to me in a soft voice. He was looking into my eyes and I felt like I was melting.

“What was that all about?” I managed to ask. I’m surprised Brain! I thought for sure you would make me just stand here and stare at Remus like an idiot.

Remus raised his hand slowly and brushed my hair away from my face softly. My skin tingled where his fingers brushed against it and I felt all of my brain function slowly disappearing.

“That,” he started and laughed slightly. “That was the worst date I’ve ever been on! I’ve been trying to escape all day. I am going to kill James for making me go with her,” he said, shaking his head.

I stared at him for a moment. Is he saying he didn’t want to go on a stupid date with stupid Emily? Merlin, I hope he is.

“Why did you go with her then?” I asked in a small voice, not looking at him.

“Because I couldn’t ask the girl that I did want to go with,” he said in just as soft a voice. His gently turned my face towards his so we were looking at each other again. My stomach did crazy flip flops and I got instant butterflies. He’s talking about me right? I’m not hallucinating? No? Good, great.

“Let’s get out of here,” Remus said suddenly, not giving me a chance to respond to what he had just said. He grabbed my hand and led me back out into the sunshine. I followed him in a bit of a daze. Remus looked up and down the street, looking for Emily I suppose. I was still in my own world of Remus-ness to notice, or care, about stupid Emily.

Remus led me up the street, still holding my hand. I’m surprised my legs are even still working at this point. Wait a minute, where are we going?

My question was answered just a couple of minutes later. We passed the Three Broomsticks and Honeydukes and kept going until we were leaving Hogsmeade. My face fell when I realised that we were going back to school. Just great.

I don’t want to go back to school! I want to… I want to… Oh I don’t even know what I want to do, I’m that confused. Neither of us had said anything but my brain was bursting with questions. What does this mean? Are we friends again? Does Remus want to run away and get married? Is my hand really sweaty from holding his?

Tell me!

While I was thinking of all sorts of crazy things, we had made it back to Hogwarts without me even noticing. But instead of going into the castle like I thought we would, Remus turned right and headed towards the lake. My hopes lifted again slightly at realizing that Remus didn’t want to get rid of me just yet.

The sun was low in the sky and I was able to stop the babble in my head long enough to take notice of how pretty the lake looked. Why were there not more people out enjoying the weekend? I suppose a lot of the first and second years are catching up on homework and everyone else is still at Hogsmeade.

We got to the large beech tree by the lake and Remus stopped. This is it. This is where he either tells me he wants to be friends, or he says he still hates me and hopes I get attacked by flesh eating flobberworms.

He didn’t do either of those things.

Instead, he took a step towards me so he was so close that I could feel his breath on my skin. He put one hand on my waist and pulled me to him. His other hand cupped my face and his thumb stroked my cheek. I couldn’t stop the shivers the feeling gave me. My breathing was all over the place and my brain seemed to have stalled. We stood there, just looking at each other. Then my hands found their way up to his shoulders and Remus smiled down at me.

And then his kissed me.

A/N: Hi guy’s! Sorry about the long wait! (…again) I know I am terrible! But here is chapter 23! I tried to make it extra-long and that has to count for something right? I hope you liked it! Thank you so much for reading and putting up with me.

How did you like the ending? Happy that Remus and Shaylee are (maybe) back together? Or sad that Emily didn’t kidnap Remus, leaving Shaylee and Aiden to live happily ever after? Let me know with a review! I love all the feedback I get and it really does give me inspiration!

Thank you to each and every one of you who have reviewed! I truly appreciate it. Every time I read a review I get this stupid smile on my face that makes me look like a bit of a loony. Don’t let that put you off though! :P